Chapter 316 Myself is the Most Important (Part 1)
From that day on, Xiao Huaijin's temperament seemed to become more composed than before.
He diligently guided Xiao Jingjue through the imperial edicts and taught him everything he could.
Ye Yunshu gradually began to delegate her tasks to Xiao Huaijin.
She herself took up all the work of the Inspectorate again, and also made time to teach her daughter.
Most of the tasks she entrusted to Xiao Huaijin were overseen by Song Zhimian.
Song Zhimian and Xiao Huaijin met more and more often, almost every day.
Gradually, everyone realized that both Xiao Huaijin and Song Zhimian were the Empress's most trusted people.
As Xiao Huaijin and Song Zhimian spent more and more time together, everyone seemed to see something clearly.
The regent wasn't without people he didn't like; the person he took a liking to was the most valued female official by His Majesty's side...
As the news slowly spread throughout the capital, many negative rumors about Song Zhimian also emerged.
Needless to say, Song Zhimian's family background is very different. Song Kaishan and his family were already commoners, so Song Zhimian was, in essence, a commoner's daughter.
But she is now a fourth-rank Shanggong (a high-ranking female official) under His Majesty's command, so they really can't say anything about her status.
The most common theory people are talking about now is that Song Zhimian got involved with the Regent Prince because she often saw him around His Majesty…
But before the news could reach Song Zhimin's ears, Xiao Huaijin took action to deal with the rumors.
After three officials were demoted for gossiping among the women in their families, the talk of such things quickly died down in the capital.
Xiao Huaijin continued to happily handle government affairs with Song Zhimian every day.
...
This day is the Flower Festival, a perfect time of spring when flowers are in full bloom.
Xiao Huaijin had tea and snacks prepared early on, waiting for Song Zhimian to bring over the approved memorials.
"Change the tea. Have someone brew some red date and longan tea. I noticed yesterday that Lady Song didn't look well, so let's have a different tea today."
There are also some snacks, but please don't serve the Poria cocos cake today, as Song Shanggong didn't eat much of it yesterday.
Today I had rose petal pastries and snowflake cakes instead!
"And replace the chair cushions with softer ones; Lady Song sits all day, so she needs to be comfortable." Xiao Huaijin meticulously arranged everything.
The palace servants and eunuchs hurriedly made arrangements.
When Song Zhimian arrived with the folded document, everything was ready.
After putting down the folded document, Song Zhimian took a sip of the red date and longan tea, which was no longer too hot to drink.
"This is good! I'm tired of drinking tea these days," Song Zhimian said with a smile.
Xiao Huaijin hummed in agreement and pushed the two plates of tea and snacks towards Song Zhimin.
"Try these! They're freshly made in the little kitchen!"
Song Zhimian tried a little of both and expressed that she liked them very much. Then the two of them started talking about the matters in the memorial.
"His Majesty's intention is to establish two more border markets in the southwest, and not to set up all the official residences within the territory of Biao Kingdom," Song Zhimian said, taking out a memorial.
Xiao Huaijin nodded.
That's what he meant too; wherever a market is established, that area will become more prosperous.
Good things should be reserved for the people of Chongqing!
"Yes, that's what I meant too. When Jue-ge comes later, let him take a look at this document and test him a bit."
"And this, more and more merchant ships from Lingnan are going out to sea, and the burden on the Pingnan Army is getting heavier and heavier."
His Majesty asked how you intend to handle this matter.
"Prime Minister Lin has already discussed this matter, and the memorial has been written. When you return to the palace later, please take it back to show your elder sister." Xiao Huaijin hurriedly took out a memorial and placed it in front of Song Zhimin.
Song Zhimian quickly put the folded document away.
The two then discussed the salt tax in Jiangnan and the support from the north for the King of Zhao.
An hour passed in the blink of an eye.
After dealing with these matters, Xiao Huaijin and Song Zhimian finally relaxed a little.
"The new tea from Jiangnan should be available soon, so I asked them to prepare some according to your taste."
"Besides jasmine tea, what other flavors do you like? How about rose?" Xiao Huaijin asked with a smile as he looked at Song Zhimian.
Song Zhimian hummed in agreement.
"Yes, thank you, Your Highness. I like both the jasmine and the rose ones!"
Xiao Huaijin smiled and then gestured to the eunuch to serve Song Zhimin freshly brewed red date and longan tea.
"I'm glad you like it! The Imperial Household Department sent over a batch of satin yesterday."
"There's a piece of jade with a moon-white lotus pattern; you must have had it delivered to you!" Xiao Huaijin asked with a smile.
"His Majesty instructed me to keep a small amount of the newly delivered Tencel satin from the Jiangnan Hundred Weaving Workshop, and to distribute the rest as gifts."
"I saw Your Highness wearing a brocade robe with a lotus flower pattern before, and since we happened to have one with the same pattern this time, I sent some over to Your Highness," Song Zhimian said frankly.
Xiao Huaijin nodded, indicating that he liked it very much.
The two of them then talked about other things.
Song Zhimian discovered that no matter what she said, Xiao Huaijin would listen attentively and offer his own opinions.
Similarly, no matter what Xiao Huaijin talked about, Song Zhimian could always chime in and express her own opinions.
The longer they spent together, the more Xiao Huaijin appreciated Song Zhimian.
Later on, no matter what the matter was, Xiao Huaijin would always ask Song Zhimian for her opinion.
...
"Song Zhimian, what do you think my elder sister means now? She doesn't care about politics at all; all she does every day is stamp the official seal."
The rest of the time he was there to look after Princess Changqing.
"She wouldn't... want to be like her father, would she?" Xiao Huaijin finally asked the question he cared about that day.
Song Zhimian nodded very seriously.
"That's what His Majesty meant. There are some things His Majesty can't say to you directly, so she asked me to tell you when you brought up this issue."
Three years at most! His Majesty will only help the Crown Prince keep an eye on Dayu for three years.
Three years from now, the Crown Prince should be quite old. At that time, His Majesty will abdicate and let the Crown Prince ascend the throne.
At that time, you were still the regent, helping His Majesty handle state affairs.
"When the Crown Prince is able to handle state affairs independently, then you can step down as regent."
Xiao Huaijin was speechless.
My elder sister really has no attachment to the throne at all!
No wonder she now entrusts all state affairs to me. She only shows her face during court assemblies to talk about some trivial matters.
"Have you thought about what you'll do after your elder sister steps down?"
Should she stay by the new emperor's side as a lady-in-waiting, or go to the Censorate with her elder sister?
"Song Zhimian, why don't you consider me? Be my princess consort. Once Jue-ge'er is able to handle state affairs independently, I'll take you on a trip to see the sights!" Xiao Huaijin asked tentatively.
Song Zhimian was stunned...
Go out for sightseeing...
With a handsome man by your side, it doesn't seem so bad!
"Let's talk about this later! It's a bit too early to talk about it now!"
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